City Council Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE ELEANOR ROHRBACH MEMORIAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
DES PLAINES CIVIC CENTER,
MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2007

CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Des Plaines, Illinois, was called to order by Mayor Anthony W. Arredia at 6:00 p.m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial Council Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on Monday, June 18, 2007.

ROLL CALL: Roll call indicated the following aldermen present: Moylan, Murphy, Higgason, Walsten, Smith, Argus. Aldermen Beauvais and Brookman were absent. Alderman Beauvais arrived in Executive Session at 6:03 p.m. Alderman Brookman arrived in Executive Session at 6:05 p.m.

Also present were: Acting City Manager Bajor, Assistant Director of Finance Raymond, Police Chief Prandini, Deputy Fire Chief Jaeger, Director of Engineering Oakley, Director of Public Works Dusckett, Director of Community & Economic Development Conlan, Deputy Director of Community & Economic Development Angell and City Attorney Wiltse.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Moved by Smith, seconded by Argus, to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel. Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 6-Moylan, Murphy, Higgason,

Walsten, Smith, Argus

NAYS: 0-None

ABSENT: 2-Beauvais, Brookman

Motion declared carried.

The City Council recessed at 6:01 p.m.

The City Council reconvened at 7:15 p.m.

Roll call indicated the following aldermen present; Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy, Higgason, Brookman, Walsten, Smith, Argus.

PRAYER:

The opening prayer was given by Reverend Tim Roames, Good News Christian Center, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

WELCOME:

Mayor Arredia welcomed the students from Maine West High School who are participating in the City= s Clinical Government Program, which is now in its 32nd year.

INTRODUCTION:

Deputy Fire Chief Jaeger introduced Fire Lieutenant Pete Dyer who has been appointed as the new Division Chief of Emergency Medical Services.

RECOGNITION:

Mayor Arredia introduced Donna Catlett, President of the Des Plaiens Arts Council, along with Council member Linda Traina, who recognized the following 2007 scholarship recipients:

Megan Bricks, Orchard Place Elementary School

Simon Giavaras, Algonquin Middle School

Samantha Haring, Maine West High School

Evania Hong, Central Elementary School

Chris Linenberger, Maine West High School

Tracy Matz, Elk Grove High School

Jacqueline Ortiz, Forest Elementary Scholol

Kaitlyn Piskorowski, Iroquois Community School

Willow Schneider, Maine West High School

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Mayor Arredia introduced Mary Dankowski, and members of the Youth Commission, who announced that the Co-Rec High School Softball League will play at Rand Park every Saturday night beginning at 6:15 p.m.; there will be 14 teams with approximately 18 players on a roster.

CITIZEN PARTICIPA.:

Mr. Wayne Serbin, 835 Pearson Street, addressed the City Council stating that he volunteered at the recent Taste of Des Plaines and saw first hand all the hard work done by the Special Events Commission and its members; they did all the A grunt@ work; they chose to be on this Commission which involves so much work.

Mrs. Barbara Van Slambrouck, 286 Stratford Road, addressed the City Council stating that she and her husband recently attended a conference in Washington regarding eminent domain abuse; she passed out literature and asked the aldermen to consider some of the information.

Mr. Dion Kendrick, 943 Webster Lane, addressed the City Council and read a statement (in City Council folder) regarding the five (5)-corners TIF; he is requesting that the aldermen either rescind the ordinance establishing the TIF or remove the abusive power of eminent domain.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Alderman Murphy requested that Items 3, 3a, 14 and 15 be removed from the Consent Agenda; Alderman Walsten requested that Items 4 and 4a be removed; and City Clerk McAllister stated that a resident requested that Items 7, 8 and 9 be removed.

Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Murphy, to establish a Consent Agenda except for Items 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15. Motion declared carried.

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to approve the Consent Agenda. Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 8-Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy, Higgason,

Brookman, Walsten, Smith, Argus

NAYS: 0-None

ABSENT: 0-None

Motion declared carried. Staff recommendations and requests were approved; minutes were approved; Ordinance Z-14-07 was adopted; and Resolution R-88-07 was adopted.

MINUTES:

Consent Agenda

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to approve minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council held June 4, 2007, as published. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to approve minutes of the Executive Session of the City Council held June 4, 2007. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.

PREVAILING WAGE RATES:

Ordinance  M-30-07

Moved by Moylan, seconded by Murphy, to concur with Staff recommendation that pursuant to Section 820 ILCS 130/1 of the State Statutes (2004), City establish prevailing rate of wages for laborers, mechanics and other workers employed in performing construction of public works projects for the City - ANNUAL REQUIREMENT; and further recommend to place on First Reading Ordinance MC 30-07, AN ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO 820 ILCS 130/1, ET SEQ. (2004), AS AMENDED, PERTAINING TO WAGES OF EMPLOYEES PERFORMING PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION AND PREVAILING WAGE RATES. Motion declared carried.

DISPOSITION/A WAVE@  STRUCTURES:

Ordinance M-31-07

Moved by Walsten, seconded by Brookman, to authorize the disposition of City= s concrete A wave@ structures (formerly located at the northwest and southwest corners of Miner Street and Des Plaines River Road), as follows: two (2) A waves@ to the Des Plaines Historical Society; up to four (4) to the Des Plaines Park District, four (4) for the City= s Riverwalk, and the remainder of the A waves@ be held at Public Works Department for future disposition; and further recommend to place on First Reading Ordinance MC 31-07, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC PERSONAL PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH CITY CODE SECTION 1-12-4.

Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Brookman, to suspend the rules to permit public input on this matter. Motion declared carried.

Mr. Ron Friedman, 1613 Stockton Avenue, addressed the City Council suggesting that this could become a City-wide painting project; they would make a wonderful canvas for people to paint and place around town; do not make a decision tonight.

Moved by Murphy, seconded by Argus, to adopt a substitute motion　to POSTPONE until July 16, 2007, further discussion on disposition of the concrete A wave@ structures; and an Ad Hoc Committee be formed with Alderman Walsten as its Chair to review the options for disposition of the A waves.@ Motion declared carried.

ADDENDUM/IDNR GRANT AGREEMENT CONTRACT #216:

Consent Agenda

Resolution R-88-07

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to concur with Staff recommendation to authorize Mayor and City Clerk to execute A Addendum Number One@ to A Grant Agreement - Contract #216" with Illinois Department of Natural Resources (approved by the City Council on May 1, 2006 - Resolution R-74-06), to extend the expiration date of the Grant from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008, in order for Maine Township to receive the balance of the Build Illinois Funds in the amount of $187,353 to complete their Prairie Creek (Kennedy Drive to Robin Drive) restoration project; Des Plaines has already received its share of the Grant in the amount of $123,597 for land rights and partial building demolition costs on the Levee 50, Phase III Project; and further recommend to adopt Resolution R-88-07, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ADDENDUM NUMBER ONE TO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DES PLAINES AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS/DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE CITY= S ACCEPTANCE OF BUILD ILLINOIS FUNDS FOR THE RAND PARK FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT AND THE REHABILITATION OF PRAIRIE CREEK AND FARMERS CREEK AND RESTORATION OF AREAS OF PRAIRIE CREEK AND FARMERS CREEK. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.

LIQ. LIC./590 E. CENTRAL RD.:

Consent Agenda

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to concur with Staff recommendation to grant request for Change of Ownership of Class B - Bulk Sales Dealers Liquor License for property located at 590 E. Central Road, d/b/a Payless Liquors; contingent upon verification of fingerprints. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.

PATIO VARIATION/2883 EISENHOWER:

Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Walsten, to concur with Staff recommendation to grant request for Variation to Section 4-17-11 of the Building Code Amendments to permit construction of a 30' x 30' patio in the rear yard of property located at 2883 Eisenhower Drive (Code prohibits patios from extending more than 15' from the building foundation). Motion declared carried.

PATIO VARIATION/458 N. FIFTH AVE.:

Moved by Murphy, seconded by Brookman, to concur with Staff recommendation to grant request for Variation to Section 4-17-11 of the Building Code Amendments to permit construction of addition to existing patio that would measure 33' x 14' in the rear yard of property located at 458 N. Fifth Avenue (Code prohibits patios from extending more than 15' from the building foundation). Motion declared carried.

PATIO VARIATION/2319 DOUGLAS AVE.:

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Murphy, to concur with Staff recommendation to grant request for Variation to Section 4-17-11 of the Building Code Amendments to permit construction of a 36' x 18'6" patio in the rear yard of property located at 2319 Douglas Avenue (Code prohibits patios from extending more than 15' from the building foundation). Motion declared carried.

REJECT BID & READVERTISE/DOWNTOWN LANDSCAPING:

Consent Agenda

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to concur with Staff recommendation to reject all bids received on June 6, 2007 for Comprehensive Landscape Plan for Downtown Des Plaines to clarify bids specifications, and City Clerk be authorized to readvertise for bids, returnable by 3:00 p.m., Thursday, June 5, 2007. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda

ADVERTISING FOR BIDS:

Consent Agenda

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to concur with Staff recommendation that City Clerk be authorized to advertise for bids for Wolf Road-Central Road Pedestrian Signal Improvements, returnable by 3:00 p.m., Thursday, July 5, 2007. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to concur with Staff recommendation that City Clerk be authorized to advertise for bids for Oakton Street Storm Water Pumping Station Rehabilitation, returnable by 3:00 p.m., Monday, July 23, 2007. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.

ORDINANCE Z-14-07 CONDIT. USE/3067 MANNHEIM:

Consent Agenda

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to adopt Ordinance Z-14-07, AN ORDINANCE ALLOWING FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO EXPAND AN EXISTING DRIVE THROUGH FACILITY AS PART OF A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, WITH A VARIATION TO ALLOW 58 PARKING SPACES, INSTEAD OF 61 PARKING SPACES, AS REQUIRED, AT 3067 MANNHEIM ROAD, DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS (Case 07-19-CU). Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.

ORDINANCE Z-15-06 MAP AMEND./755 SEEGERS:

Moved by Murphy, seconded by Brookman, to POSTPONE until July 2, 2007, Second Reading of Ordinance Z-15-06, AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A MAP AMENDMENT FROM MC 2 GENERAL MANUFACTURING TO R-3 TOWNHOUSE RESIDENTIAL FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 755 SEEGERS ROAD, DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS (Case 06-03-PUD). Motion declared carried.

ORDINANCE Z-16-06 AS AMENDED PRELIM. PUD/755 SEEGERS:

Moved by Murphy, seconded by Higgason, to POSTPONE until July 2, 2007, Second Reading of Ordinance Z-16-06, AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW A CONDITIONAL USE FOR A PRELIMINARY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) FOR 755 SEEGERS ROAD, DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS (Case 06-03-PUD). Motion declared carried.

MAYOR ARREDIA DECLARED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WAS NOW RESOLVED INTO A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION - Alderman Smith, Chair

WARRANT REGISTER:

Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Brookman, to recommend to the City Council approval of the June 18, 2007 - Warrant Register, in the total amount of $7,388,743.56, and further recommend that Resolution R-89-07 be adopted at appropriate time this evening. Motion declared carried.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - Alderman Murphy, Chair

DOWNTOWN PARKING-TRAFFIC STUDY:

Director of Community & Economic Development Conlan stated that this is more than just a parking study, it is a comprehensive tool in determining the course of redevelopment in the downtown business districts for the foreseeable future; the Study was prepared by Rich & Associates, with T.Y. Lin International as sub-contractor (approved by the City Council on February 6, 2006 - Resolution R-21-06 for a total of $84,947).

Planner John Revell, Rich & Associates, and Chief Planner Jim Considine, T.Y. Lin International, gave a PowerPoint presentation and answered questions from the aldermen.

Mr. John Revell stated that one of their recommendations is that the City adopt a standard of 1.75 parking spaces per residential unit for future residential and mixed-use projects in the downtown district; the current parking space standard of 2.0 spaces per unit within the Zoning Code is not necessarily applicable or desirable in all instances; Staff supports this recommendation of 1.75 spaces per unit and, where warranted, review the standard where shared parking makes good economic and design sense.

Alderman Brookman stated that she thinks that the 1.75 spaces per unit should be implemented throughout the City.

Mr. Wayne Serbin, 835 Pearson Street, addressed the Committee of the Whole stating that the one-way streets downtown makes it rather complex to get around at times; there should be a traffic light on Miner Street by the train station; it is very dangerous there.

Mr. Ron Moore, 1480 Jefferson Street, addressed the Committee of the Whole asking why we needed a consultant to tell us that we have surplus parking; it depends on the time of day when the survey is taken; during the day everyone is at work; also, the streets throughout the City should be marked with parking spaces, so one car can= t take up two (2) parking spaces.

Mr. John Milstead, 2515 Church Street, addressed the Committee of the Whole stating that there should be Ward meetings about this; there is too much to understand all at once.

Moved by Murphy, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with Staff recommendation and recommend to the City Council to approve Parking-Traffic Study as prepared by Rich & Associates, 21800 W. Ten Mile Road, Suite 209, Southfield, MI 48075, with T.Y. Lin International as sub-contractor, and if any of the recommendations involve policy changes or expenditure of funds, they would be discussed in committee and then brought back to the City Council for approval. Motion declared carried.

MAYOR ARREDIA ASSUMED THE CHAIR AND DECLARED THE CITY COUNCIL BACK IN SESSION

BID AWARD/DEMOLITION OF 3003 MANNHEIM AND 3036 ORCHARD PL.:

Moved by Murphy, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with Staff recommendation and award bid for Demolition of 3003 Mannheim Road (Travelodge) and 3036 Orchard Place (AC Pavement Striping) to the lowest bidder, Albrecht Enterprises, 1684 E. Oakton Street, Des Plaines, in the total bid amount of $123,888/TIF District #6 Funds. Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 7-Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy, Higgason,

Brookman, Walsten, Smith

NAYS: 1-Argus

ABSENT: 0-None

Motion declared carried.

WARRANT REGISTER:

Resolution R-89-07

Moved by Smith, seconded by Brookman, to concur with recommendation of Committee of the Whole to adopt Resolution R-89-07, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES THAT THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE DUE AND PAYABLE AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK BE AND ARE HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO MAKE PAYMENT FOR SAME. Total: $7,388,743.56. Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 8-Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy, Higgason,

Brookman, Walsten, Smith, Argus

NAYS: 0-None

ABSENT: 0-None

Motion declared carried.

DOWNTOWN PARKING-TRAFFIC STUDY:

Moved by Murphy, seconded by Brookman, to concur with recommendation of Committee of the Whole to approve Parking-Traffic Study as prepared by Rich & Associates, 21800 W. Ten Mile Road, Suite 209, Southfield, MI 48075, with T.Y. Lin International as sub-contractor, and if any of the recommendations involve policy changes or expenditure of funds, they would be discussed in committee and then brought back to the City Council for approval. Motion declared carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel. Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 6-Murphy, Higgason, Brookman,

Walsten, Smith, Argus

NAYS: 2-Beauvais, Moylan

ABSENT: 0-None

Motion declared carried.

The City Council recessed at 9:55 p.m.

The City Council reconvened at 10:18 p.m.

Roll call indicated the following aldermen present: Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy, Higgason, Brookman, Walsten, Smith, Argus.

PERSONNEL/ETHICS OFFICER REPORT:

Moved by Brookman, seconded by Walsten, to concur with consensus in Executive Session that the complaint regarding the conduct of former Alderman Tom Becker was reviewed extensively by the Ethics Officer, City Attorney Wiltse, and it was determined that the integrity of the hiring process of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners was not interfered with, nor influenced, and was not compromised as a result of the actions of former Alderman Tom Becker; and although former Alderman Tom Becker= s actions may be viewed as inappropriate, his actions did not violate the City= s Code of Ethics; and it was further agreed that Staff be authorized to review and draft possible ordinances and policy changes and report back to the City Council. Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES: 8-Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy, Higgason,

Brookman, Walsten, Smith, Argus

NAYS: 0-None

ABSENT: 0-None

Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT:

Moved by Murphy, seconded by Higgason, that the regular meeting of the City Council adjourn. Motion declared carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.

Donna McAllister, MMC - CITY CLERK

APPROVED BY ME THIS

DAY OF , 2007

Anthony W. Arredia, MAYOR

Living In Des Plaines  |  Your Local Government  |  Your City Services
Economic Development  |  Online City Reference Desk
  Search  |  Site Map  |  Home

Send feedback to the City by clicking here.
Click here to report a website technical issue.

This site is best viewed in Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher or Firefox 2.0 or higher.

Site Use Policy

All information © 2008 Des Plaines, Illinois